INSTRUMENTS
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Instruments
The Schudi Pipe Organ
The Schudi pipe organ in the main church has served the parish faithfully since its installation in 1978. This beautiful organ is a marvelous tribute to the skilled craftsmen who constructed it. It is a wonderful musical instrument, which, in the hands of the skilled artists who play it, transport us closer to heaven. The music program is the heart and soul of our life of worship here at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, and we are able to accomplish such a rich and varied program because of the remarkable quality of our organ and the skill of the musicians who make it “sing” to the glory of God.
Special recognition is due each person that constructed this instrument. Marvin Judy supervised the construction and installation of all parts and collaborated on the stop specification and pipe scales. George Gilliam made the case design, working drawings, stop specifications, and pipe scales. Assisting in the construction and installation were Bradford Allen, Mark Bolden, Chis Bullok, Charles Leonard, and David Zuber. Marvin Judy and George Gilliam voiced the pipes.
Additions to the instrument occurred in 1987 by Marvin Judy. He installed a Trompette en Chamade to the third manual and a Contre-Bombarde to the Pédale. Dr. R. Paul Bordlee, donated the Flûte Harmonique (Grand Orgue) in memory of his mother and of Paul Alphonse Riedo, previous Organist and Choirmaster.
Schudi Organ Company Opus 6 — 1978
The Specifications of the Organ
The Restoration Project
After four decades of faithful service, it became evident that our beloved pipe organ was in need of restoration. Given the organ’s importance to the community as well its notoriety beyond the parish, it was determined that any scope of work must include the restoration and preservation of the original instrument, arguably the best known of the Schudi company. After extensive evaluation, a complete restoration of the instrument was deemed necessary and is slated to begin this summer. This project will include the restoration and refurbishment of the instrument’s pipes, chests, and mechanical components, as well as a new console and new computerized control system.
In addition, in order to better support congregational singing, accompany the parish choirs, and perform organ literature, the organ will be enhanced by the addition of some voices. This is in keeping with Marvin Judy’s long-standing plans for the organ. (Marvin Judy was actively engaged in the restoration project until his untimely death in 2020). As such, the restored instrument will feature a new Récit-expressif division in a modified Cavaillé-Coll style. This new division will be scaled and voiced to complement the aesthetic of the Schudi organ.
Considering the loss of the organ’s original builder, it was crucial to find the right firm to carry out this project – a team with the necessary technical capabilities and experience in the French aesthetic, but also a firm that possessed a mindset of respect for the original instrument so as to restore it and augment it in a seamless way. The parish is pleased to announce that the French-Canadian firm of Casavant Frères of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, has been chosen to undertake this important work.
When complete, the Schudi/ Casavant organ will consist of 3,715 pipes, comprising 71 ranks distributed across four divisions. Re-installation is scheduled for the summer of 2024.The Revised Specification (2024)
Coming SoonUp Close and Personal with STA’s Schudi Organ
July 12, 2019 — Get a closer look at STA’s magnificent organ, inside and out! In a recent interview Dr. Michael Conrady covers the history, features, special techniques, and a tour of the inside.
During the interview he recounts some of the history of the organ and how it has been modified over the years. Dr. Conrady also demonstrates many features of the organ. STA parishioners will recognize many of the sounds he demonstrates.
It is interesting to hear how Dr. Conrady uses the features of the organ to adapt to the needs of various musical styles. At 22 minutes into the video he gives us a 5 minute mini-concert. It is beautiful. Just before the mini-concert, (at 18 minutes) Brent Johnson takes us on a tour inside of the organ. This fascinating view of the organ is a treat for your eyes and ears!
Brent Johnson of the Organ Media Foundation interviewed STA’s Organist and Choirmaster Dr. Michael Conrady about the magnificent Schudi organ installed in 1978. -
The Kney Pipe Organ
The Kney Positive Organ at St. Thomas Aquinas is a recent addition to the church's music program. Built by Gabriel Kney, a highly respected organ builder from London, Ontario, this organ is designated a "positive organ," which is a class of smaller organs designed to be portable and used with small groups and chamber ensembles. Its key and stop action are mechanical, providing a direct linkage between the keys and the valves under the pipes, providing the most sensitive and responsive action possible. Its stop action is actuated by foot levers, a clever design which allows the hands of the player to be free while stops are engaged and disengaged.
The Kney Positive Organ began its life as an organ commissioned for Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. In 2015, the university determined that the organ was no longer being utilized and began a campaign to find a new home for the instrument. St. Thomas Aquinas Organist and Choirmaster Michael Conrady flew to Grand Rapids in the summer of that year to inspect and make arrangements to acquire the instrument on behalf of the parish. Once the organ was purchased, it was carefully disassembled and packed for shipping to Dallas, Texas.
Upon arrival in Dallas, the pipes were placed into storage and the chassis of the instrument was sent to the workshop of Brad Van Vranken, an artisan woodworker and a member of the St. Thomas Schola Cantorum Gregorii. Over the span of several months, the mechanical components of the organ were carefully restored and a new cherrywood cabinet was built for the instrument. Mr. Van Vranken took great care to incorporate the architectural elements of our church into the organ. The new case incorporates design elements from the communion rail arches, baptistery grate, stained glass window arches, and the stone rosette carvings in the sanctuary, among others.
In December of 2015, the Positive Organ played its first service at St. Thomas Aquinas on Christmas Eve. The organ case is on wheels so it can be moved about the sanctuary or wherever it is needed. It is used regularly at liturgies, services, and concerts. Like its big brother in the choir gallery, it is built to provide beautiful music for many decades to come.
The Gabriel Kney Positive Organ
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The Holtkamp Pipe Organ
The Holtkamp organ in the chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas originally began its life as the chapel instrument for the First Community Church of Dallas. The organ was acquired, along with the chapel and church property in 2006 as a part of the expansion of the St. Thomas Aquinas School. The Holtkamp organ was built in 1969, with Dr. Robert T. Anderson serving as the organ consultant.
Specification of the Holtkamp Pipe Organ:
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Möller Pipe Organ
The St. Thomas Aquinas Möller pipe organ was installed in 2012. This organ is installed in the lower school chapel opposite the Holtkamp organ in a newly renovated chancel area designed for choral rehearsal and performance.
The organ provides accompaniment for the many adult and children's choir rehearsals that take place in that space and can also be heard on a regular basis at Monday morning school masses and Sunday evening youth masses, as well as at other concerts and services throughout the year.
The Möller pipe organ was the generous gift of Matthew Bogart and Dr. Christopher Golembeski.
Specification of the Möller Pipe Organ:
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The Fisk Harpsichord
St. Thomas Aquinas church is fortunate to have a 1980 Peter Fisk French double harpsichord at its disposal for use in services and in performance with period ensembles. The Fisk harpsichord has choirs at 8’, 8’, and 4’ pitch, a manual coupler and a buff stop. The gilded harpsichord features a matching Louis XVI stand with gilded fluted legs and rosettes.. The sound board painting is by William McCarter, formerly of the University of North Texas Art Faculty.
This beautiful instrument is played regularly at masses and concerts, and is used regularly in performing solo harpsichord repertoire, chamber music sonatas, and as continuo for chamber ensembles.
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The Dolmetsch Harpsichord
The historic Dolmetsch harpsichord at St. Thomas Aquinas was built in 1919 by early music pioneer Arnold Dolmetsch in his shop in Haslemere, Surrey. This single-manual harpsichord features a persimmon finish with hand-applied gold gilding. The harpsichord has a full 5-octave range (FF-f3) and features a lute stop as well as a forte stop, allowing for a variety of effects to be realized on the single-manual instrument. The instrument has pear jacks and has been recently restored to utilize leather plectra, a unique feature that was idiomatic to Dolmetsch instruments of that era.
The Dolmetsch harpsichord is on loan from a private collection and has been featured at various chamber music concerts in the St. Thomas Aquinas Lenten Concert Series.
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